Mass Man Planned Terror Attacks on Malls

havegunjoe · October 21st, 2009, 05:41 PM

This was the most interesting sentence to me. Why didn’t these would-be terrorists simply go to a gun show and buy the guns they were after. Isn’t that were most criminals and terrorists buy guns? Through the gun show loophole? "Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons."

Feds: Mass. Man Planned Terror Attacks on Malls
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:40 AM

BOSTON -- A 27-year-old Massachusetts man has been charged with conspiring with others to carry out terror attacks against shoppers in U.S. malls and against U.S. military in Iraq.

Authorities in Boston say Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah) of Sudbury sought training in terrorist training camps and worked with others from 2001 to May 2008 on the conspiracy "kill, kidnap, maim or injure" people in foreign countries and to kill prominent U.S. politicians.

Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons.

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Mehanna's attorney, J.W. Carney Jr., did not immediately return calls for comment.

Mehanna was arrested last year for allegedly lying about a man who trained with al-Qaida members with the goal of overthrowing the Somali government.

A person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity says the man was arrested early Wednesday. The person was not authorized to divulge details of the investigation.

The person says the man is from the Boston suburb of Sudbury and had two co-conspirators.

Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah), of Sudbury, was arrested in November 2008 on suspicion of lying to authorities about the whereabouts of a man who trained with al-Qaida members with the goal of overthrowing the Somali government.

Mehanna pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Officials would not immediately say Wednesday whether the man arrested was him.

http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us_...21/274947.html

kazzaerexys · October 21st, 2009, 05:50 PM

Yep, I just read Clayton Cramer's post highlighting that precise thing...

Funny, ain't it?

goawayfarm · October 21st, 2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

"Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons."

Wait....I thought that because of the 'gun-show loop-hole', anybody could get guns & explosives without a background check!

msgt/ret · October 21st, 2009, 07:04 PM

Scary thought, in just a few more weeks the malls will be even more crowded with Christmas shoppers.

TheGreatGonzo · October 21st, 2009, 07:08 PM

Assaults by terrorists who are active shooters at shopping malls. Is this a situation where a having your gun with you might save not only your life, but countless others? Darned right it is! Folks, if this sort of stuff does not convince you to stay armed and stay alert...what will?
Gonzo

goawayfarm · October 21st, 2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatGonzo

Assaults by terrorists who are active shooters at shopping malls. Is this a situation where a having your gun with you might save not only your life, but countless others? Darned right it is! Folks, if this sort of stuff does not convince you to stay armed and stay alert...what will?
Gonzo

It makes me want to stay home & shop online.........

retsupt99 · October 21st, 2009, 08:10 PM

This is no longer if, but when...they found this plan out...how many others? Malls? Schools?

They gave this guy bail?

Patti · October 21st, 2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Mehanna, who has taught math and religion at Alhuda Academy, made a defiant court appearance hours after his arrest. He refused to stand to hear the charge against him and finally did _ tossing his chair loudly to the floor _ only after his father urged him to do so.

"This really, really is a show," his father, Ahmed Mehanna, said as his son was being led away in handcuffs. When asked if he believed the charges against his son, he said, "No, definitely not."

Prosecutors said Mehanna worked with two men from 2001 to May 2008 on the conspiracy that, over time, intended to "kill, kidnap, maim or injure" soldiers and two politicians who were members of the executive branch but are no longer in office. Authorities refused to identify the politicians and said they were never in danger.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Loucks said the men justified the planned attacks on malls because U.S. civilians pay taxes to support the U.S. government and because they are "nonbelievers," Loucks said. He refused to identify the targeted malls.

Mehanna _ who received a doctorate in 2008 from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, where his father is a professor _ allegedly conspired with Ahmad Abousamra, who authorities say is now in Syria.

I can't believe he was released on bail. That's insane.

chrise2004 · October 21st, 2009, 10:05 PM

Luckily i just watched "Surviving Disaster - Shopping Day Disaster"

but on a serious note i thought about this when i was down in STL at the galleria and was carrying...the whole time i kept thinking about this last surviving disaster episode and what i would do...and also how in the show they didn't show any CC holders so i guess this mall was in WI or IL :)

Either way it's definitely something to think about and stay on alert for.

October 21st, 2009, 05:41 PM	#1
havegunjoe VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,025	Mass Man Planned Terror Attacks on Malls This was the most interesting sentence to me. Why didn’t these would-be terrorists simply go to a gun show and buy the guns they were after. Isn’t that were most criminals and terrorists buy guns? Through the gun show loophole? *"Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons."* Feds: Mass. Man Planned Terror Attacks on Malls Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:40 AM BOSTON -- A 27-year-old Massachusetts man has been charged with conspiring with others to carry out terror attacks against shoppers in U.S. malls and against U.S. military in Iraq. Authorities in Boston say Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah) of Sudbury sought training in terrorist training camps and worked with others from 2001 to May 2008 on the conspiracy "kill, kidnap, maim or injure" people in foreign countries and to kill prominent U.S. politicians. Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons. Special: New Bull: Warren Buffett Says You Must Read This Book -- Click Here Now. Mehanna's attorney, J.W. Carney Jr., did not immediately return calls for comment. Mehanna was arrested last year for allegedly lying about a man who trained with al-Qaida members with the goal of overthrowing the Somali government. A person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity says the man was arrested early Wednesday. The person was not authorized to divulge details of the investigation. The person says the man is from the Boston suburb of Sudbury and had two co-conspirators. Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah), of Sudbury, was arrested in November 2008 on suspicion of lying to authorities about the whereabouts of a man who trained with al-Qaida members with the goal of overthrowing the Somali government. Mehanna pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Officials would not immediately say Wednesday whether the man arrested was him. http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us_...21/274947.html __________________ DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE. Certified Instructor for Minnesota Carry Permit NRA Pistol and Personal Protection Insrtuctor Utah Permit Certified Instructor

October 21st, 2009, 05:50 PM	#2
kazzaerexys Distinguished Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,426	Yep, I just read Clayton Cramer's post highlighting that precise thing... Funny, ain't it? __________________ “What is a moderate interpretation of [the Constitution]? Halfway between what it says and [...] what you want it to say?” —Justice Antonin Scalia SIG: P220R SS Elite SAO, P220R SAO, P220R Carry SRT, P226, P239 (.40S&W), P2022 (.40S&W); GSR 5", P6.

October 21st, 2009, 07:04 PM	#4
msgt/ret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,014	Scary thought, in just a few more weeks the malls will be even more crowded with Christmas shoppers. __________________ When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. "Don't forget, incoming fire has the right of way."

October 21st, 2009, 07:08 PM	#5
TheGreatGonzo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 679	Assaults by terrorists who are active shooters at shopping malls. Is this a situation where a having your gun with you might save not only your life, but countless others? Darned right it is! Folks, if this sort of stuff does not convince you to stay armed and stay alert...what will? Gonzo __________________ Sometimes good people have to do bad things to bad people to keep bad people from doing bad things to good people.

October 21st, 2009, 08:10 PM	#7
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,727	This is no longer if, but when...they found this plan out...how many others? Malls? Schools? They gave this guy bail? __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

October 21st, 2009, 10:05 PM	#9
chrise2004 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern IL Posts: 603	Luckily i just watched "Surviving Disaster - Shopping Day Disaster" but on a serious note i thought about this when i was down in STL at the galleria and was carrying...the whole time i kept thinking about this last surviving disaster episode and what i would do...and also how in the show they didn't show any CC holders so i guess this mall was in WI or IL :) Either way it's definitely something to think about and stay on alert for. __________________ Glock 27,Hi-Point .380, S&W 3913 NRA Member/Supporter "Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem." - President Ronald Reagan

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